This follows from:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ard5a7OeCevQK6Bn3FguVfnd7BR.?qid=20070823234847AAPBusy
The way I see it, there are a few things we define as "Love":
1. A chemical reaction in the brain based on attraction, which then gradually turns into a friendship based on mutual respect, shared history and parenthood, etc. That's "Romantic Love".
2. The instinctive drive to propagate the species, protect your offspring and give it the greatest chance of survival. That's the love of a parent.
3. "Brotherly love", which is really just our group-nature as a social species which recognises strength in number.
4. Then there is the choice to show and feel compassion by developing empathy for the situations of others, no matter their deeds, because you can have an inkling of what led them there.
Seems to me that, if we only do 1,2&3, we have no claim to place ourselves above animals. It's the CHOICE to feel compassion that defines "Humanity". Agree? Disagree?
2007-08-23
20:20:08
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16 answers
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asked by
dead_elves
3
in
Religion & Spirituality